The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1887-05-05

VIII . small pelucoat compietei tne
child's underwear
"welll" Miss Ruth didnt know What
10 do ''Iil get yoa some tomorrow,
said she. ''Say your prayers aud jump
in,-
"PsAyenr echoed Tiliy.
Yes. don, you say anys''
The child shock her head. ''Bat will
II you'll tell me what to say" she sail.
So Miss Ru,h bad Tiily kneei down by
her lap and lay the yellow curly bead on
her knee, and Taught the child the sim
pie "Now lay me down to sleep"
That's nice. think. said the child
aud she jumped In bed. And Miss Ruth.
With queer feeling In her throat bent
over and pressed a kiss on the white fore
head. Instantly the child spoke. Il love
you. and love TO stay here"
And something was the matter with
Miss Rnthie's eyes just then.
The neXt day Miss Ruth said. Betty.
thst child has absolutely no clothes. III
get her some and You must help me make
them"
"'Tsin't much use for such little time
is itf" asked Betty.
shes got to be decent while she stays,
said Ruth. resolutely.
So they went to work, aud the next Sun
day when Miss Ruth led her little charge
to Sunday school in a blue Mother Hub
bard" and big white hat and new shoes
people said Miss Paul must have visitors,
else who is the pretty child in her pewl
Aud they never knew it for the little waif
who came on the relief train the Thursday
before Tilly had been there two weeks
when one night there was aithunder storm,
and Miss Ruth was awakened by call at
her bedside,
"Aunt Ruthie, Aunt Ruthie!'- She had
taught Tilly to call her by that name, md
the childs voice aroused her.
whats the matter?"
"I'm afraid OF the thunder, Aunt Ruthie.
May come in your bed?"
"Yes.
1he little figure crept in and cuddled
close to Miss Ruth, the small arms wound
around her aud she felt the warm breath
on her cheek. Aud somehow Miss Ruth
remembered Betty saying, 'children are
kind O. comfortin' after all, and felt
strong sensation of warmth at her own
lonely heart.
After while the month was up and the
ladies notified those that had children to
have them at the depot ready to return to
the city.
Mrs. Manley aud Miss Haskins called
or Miss Ruth,
IAN l obliged to let her go?' inquired
Miss Ruth.
unless you keep her at your own ex-
pense. Our charge ends this month.
"Wel. want to keep her !"
"How long. Miss Panl?"
Always. She has grown into my heart
so that cant let her go. You know OF
course where she came from. See her
folks in New York, there's nobody but an
overworked aunt anyhow, and tell them
that I'll adopt her, and leave her all I'm
WORTH
''ls that really your wish, Miss Ruth2"
asked Mrs. Manley.
"Yes, 1t is. ! want her for good.
I'VE can get her for you, no doubt
You will be rewarded for your kindness,
Miss Ruth"
''Tilly is her own reward.
And so the child stayed to be the light
OF the old home which was no longer lone
ly. and to make happier and better Miss
Ruth's advancing days. And as to Betty
she never grew tired Of singing Tilly's
praises, or doing something for the pleas
ure Of her iavorite or pet. Miss Ruth
softened and sweetened greatly. The
Abbot children forgot to call her ''sour
old maid" but teased every day to go over
to Miss Psul's aud play with Tilly. be-
cause Miss Paul always bad something
nice to give them.